Priebus opens RNC with swipes at Obama

Chairman of the Republican National Committee Reince Priebus welcomes delegates to the 2012 Republican National Convention at Tampa Bay Times Forum in Tampa on August 28, 2012. UPI/Kevin Dietsch | License Photo

TAMPA, Fla., Aug. 28 (UPI) -- Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus called out President Obama and his policies as he convened the GOP convention Tuesday in Tampa, Fla.

"We have a message for Americans: Elect [former Massachusetts Gov.] Mitt Romney and [Rep.] Paul Ryan [of Wisconsin] and they will get this country working again," Priebus said. "We'll restore the idea that every person in America can achieve the American dream. ... We embrace success."

A Romney-Ryan administration would bring great things to the country, Priebus said.

"We must send America's comeback team to Washington so the middle class can thrive, wages can rise and our children can succeed once again," Priebus said to applause. "Republicans believe America's greatness comes from the American people, not the federal government,"

Obama, the RNC chairman said, thinks "government is at the center of the economic universe" then asked how the president would know about building and running a business when he says "you didn't do that."

"President Obama hasn't run a company; he hasn't even run a garage sale or seen the inside of a lemonade stand," Priebus said.

A Romney-Ryan win in November wouldn't be just a victory for the Republican Party, Priebus said, "It's a victory for America."

RNC Co-chairwoman Sharon Day, a Floridian, welcomed delegates to the city and echoed Priebus' assessment:

"This fight is not about this election and it is not about this party," she said. "This fight is about our country and we cannot lose this battle."